Clifden Limestone Caves
# Clifden Limestone Caves

46°1′6″S 167°44′27″E﻿ / ﻿46.01833°S 167.74083°E﻿ / -46.01833; 167.74083

The Clifden Limestone Cave System is in the Western Southland Region of New Zealand, on private land close to the hamlet of Clifden.

## Geology

The cave is formed in Miocene limestone created from the accumulation of shell fragments, sand and pebbles in the Epeiric Zealandia sea. It is a solutional cave.

## Ecology

Glow worms or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa) find a natural habitat in the Clifden Cave System because of its damp environment with little or no wind.

## Recreation

The cave system runs about 300 metres (980 ft). A marked through route with fixed ladders is available for properly equipped people who wish to experience caving, and other passages are accessible for experienced cavers.

